Shippers package hazardous materials in a way that is meant to completely contain the materials. Vehicles should be placarded to communicate the risk of the cargo.

Keep liquid discharge valves on a compressed gas tank closed except when loading and unloading.

If you discover that a cargo of hazardous materials is leaking from your vehicle, you should park the vehicle as soon as possible. The longer you continue driving, the longer the trail of contamination becomes. While this creates potential danger and harm to others, it also increases clean-up expenses.

If your vehicle breaks down while you are transporting explosives and you need to use warning signals, use reflective triangles or red electric lights. Never use burning signals, such as flares or fuses, when transporting explosives.

Packages that contain liquid containers must have orientation markers. Arrows displayed on the box should be pointing in the correct upright direction.

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to operate a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials.

The power unit of a placarded vehicle must be equipped with a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating of 10 B:C or more.

If a shipping paper lists both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous materials must be entered first.

Among other information, shipping papers must include a description of the specific hazardous materials being transported.

Always protect containers of hazardous materials. When loading hazardous materials, never use equipment that could damage containers or packaging, such as hooks.

If you are involved in an accident while carrying hazardous materials, it is your responsibility as the driver to keep people away from the scene; limit the spread of material if you can safely do so; inform emergency response personnel of the dangers posed by the materials; and provide emergency personnel with the shipping papers and emergency response information. Unless you have protective equipment and the necessary training, do not try to fight hazardous materials fires yourself.

When transporting hazardous materials, shipping papers should be kept in a pouch in the driver's side door, or in another location where the driver is able to easily reach them while their seat belt is fastened. The papers must be easily visible to anyone who is entering the cab.

You must examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip. The only effective way to check tire pressure is by using a tire pressure gauge.

You should not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used to transport materials that are categorized as Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases). Do not smoke or carry a lit cigar, pipe, or cigarette near a vehicle containing flammable or explosive materials.

Shipping papers must be quickly accessible in the event of an emergency. While driving, operators must keep the papers in a pouch on the driver’s door or in clear view and within immediate reach while their seat belt is fastened. Shipping papers may be kept on the driver’s seat when the driver is out of the vehicle.

Except when parking briefly to perform necessary functions for vehicle operation (such as refueling), never park a vehicle carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building. Never park such a vehicle within five feet of the traveled portion of the road.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Emergency Response Guide provides information about hazardous materials, indexed by proper shipping names and hazardous materials identification numbers.

Hazardous materials warning placards are diamond-shaped.

If transporting chlorine in cargo tanks, a driver must have an approved gas mask in their vehicle.

If loading by hand, load breakable containers of corrosive liquid one by one. Keep them facing upright. Do not drop or roll the containers.

It is always a good idea to compare package markings and labels to accompanying shipping papers. Always make sure the shipper has displayed the correct basic description on the shipping paper and has provided the proper labels on the packages.

When carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you should not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building, unless you are parking for a short period of time while performing an operational necessity, like refueling.

Fighting a hazardous materials fire requires special training and protective gear. Unless you have the proper equipment and training, do not try to fight a hazardous materials fire yourself.

If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you must follow a written route plan. Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys. Be sure to research any restrictions that may apply to the routes you plan to take.

If you discover a leak in a cargo of hazardous materials, identify the materials in question by using the shipping papers, labels, or package location. Do not touch the leaking material.

You should use a floor lining when transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials. The floors must be tight and the liner must be made from either non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are any metals that do not contain iron or iron alloys.

If a hazardous materials label will not fit onto a package, it may be placed on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to provide proper shipping papers to communicate the risks of the materials.

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling the materials. They must supply the warning placards.

The use of cargo heaters is not always permitted. When transporting materials that are categorized as Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2.1 (Flammable Gases), or Class 3 (Flammable Liquids), the use of heaters in the same space is generally prohibited.